In a follow-up tweet, the band hinted that they would probably turn the invitation down by writing “Maybe not-xxx”.

Other singers and musicians to have joined the panel on BBC1’s topical debate show in recent years include Blur‘s Alex James, Jarvis Cocker, Will Young, Charlotte Church and John Lydon – who argued for the legalisation of drugs during his Question Time appearance last July (2012).

Meanwhile, Manic Street Preachers released their largely acoustic 11th studio album, ‘Rewind The Film’, on September 16. Recorded in the band’s own studio in Cardiff, Rockfield in Monmouthshire and Hansa in Berlin, the album features guest appearances from Lucy Rose (on ‘This Sullen Welsh Heart’) Cate Le Bon (on ‘4 Lonely Roads’) and Richard Hawley on the title track.

The band are due to wrap up a six-date UK tour in support of the album with gigs at Manchester’s Ritz tonight (September 27) and Glasgow’s Barrowlands on Sunday (September 29).